In letter, Farrakhan accuses Jews of hurting blacks

(JTA) — Minister Louis Farrakhan in a letter addressed to U.S. Jewish organizations accused Jews of hurting blacks and called for dialogue to "repair" the damage.

The Nation of Islam leader sent the letter, as well as a two-volume copy of "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews" by the Nation of Islam Historical Research Team, which he said proves "an undeniable record of Jewish Anti-Black behavior," the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

"We could charge you with being the most deceitful so-called friend, while your history with us shows you have been our worst enemy," he reportedly wrote in the letter, dated June 24. In the past, Farrakhan has called Judaism a "gutter religion."

The letter was sent to several Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the American Jewish Committee, and the Orthodox and Reform movements, according to the AP.

Farrakhan called for dialogue with Jewish groups and their supporters.

"This is an offer asking you and the gentiles whom you influence to help me in the repair of my people from the damage that has been done by your ancestors to mine," he wrote in the letter.

Abraham Foxman, ADL’s national director, received a copy of the letter and the books.

"Never, in our more than 20 years of following Minister Louis Farrakhan, have we seen him so obsessively devoted to his hate crusade against Jews," Foxman said. "His anti-Semitism is obsessive, diabolical and unrestrained. He has opened a new chapter in his ministry, where scapegoating Jews is not just part of a message but the message.

"Dialogue does not begin with bigoted accusations. Farrakhan’s call for dialogue with Jews is so outrageous and disingenuous that you can’t believe anyone would take him seriously."

In a news release, the ADL pointed out that Farrakhan, in an address to followers in Atlanta on June 26, announced that he had sent the book to the media and members of the Obama administration.

He also continued to speak negatively about Jews.

"Today the Jewish people have developed a new strategy," Farrakhan said, according to the ADL release. "They have always tied themselves to black people. They attach themselves to our talent. They are the managers, the agents, and they are the accountants, and that’s why our black artists loved fame and got fame but died poor because somebody else got their money.

"No black man or woman becomes a multimillionaire without friendship in the Jewish community."